Anti-abortion campaign gets under way

WEST CHESTER – The 40 Days of Life campaign returns to Chester County Wednesday with vigils planned outside Planned Parenthood in the borough.

“We know 40 Days of Life has made a difference in the West Chester area,” said Paulette Matthews, who is coordinating the local campaign.

Matthews said the campaign, which focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting to end abortion, is an opportunity for community outreach and peaceful witness.

The anti-abortion campaign was started nationally in 2007 with an educational outreach and with prayer, fasting and vigils at abortion facilities.

The campaign runs Sept. 25 through Nov. 3. Organizers say “40 days” is a reference to Biblical periods when God brought about change.

Organizers say the campaign has been successful in preventing a number of abortions and has encouraged different denominations to band together in addition to increasing

Prayer vigils are planned outside Planned Parenthood at 8 South Wayne Street in West Chester in the public right-of-way.

“During 12 previous coordinated campaigns, 501 communities have participated in this effort,” said Shawn Carney, national director of the campaign in a prepared statement. “More than 575,000 people — representing some 16,000 churches — have committed to pray and fast.”